As the host of CLTV's Metro Mix: The TV Show, Chicago native LeeAnn Trotter sees a lot of Chicago, whether it is dining at the latest
restaurants, checking out the what's what, or touring the coolest and hippest nightspots; she experiences a great deal that the city has
to offer.
Now Trotter is seeing the city from a different perspective, since registering for the AIDS Marathon Training Program. Her sights
and feet are now set on the city streets that she runs or walks to prepare for the 26.2 mile Chicago Marathon in September.
She confesses to being the city's biggest fan and if asked to finish the sentence, Chicago is ... Trotter's answer: 'The Best City in the
world. I love Chicago, never wanted to leave, and what is really cool about running in this program is that you get to experience the
city on a whole different level. I run in my neighborhood. I live in the South Loop area; so there is the Museum Campus, the Lake,
Grant Park. There are lots of places to run. Another reason why I thought this was great is because I really don't like to work out in
clubs, which is just another place for me to go.' Running gives Trotter the freedom to do it on her own time.
'I go to so many places that the gym is the last place that I want to go to, but as a runner I can just put on my work-out clothes and
go outside and run, and that is what I prefer to do,' explains Trotter. Which is good since for the next three months, Trotter will have to
do just that along with thousands of other participants seeking to raise money in the battle against AIDS.
The commitment to run a marathon is not easily decided upon by most people. But with the rampant rise of AIDS in the African-
American community and the seriousness of the disease being overlooked, Trotter wanted to become involved. She hopes to erase
the attitude of denial that exists around AIDS. 'I think people think that it can't happen to them, that this person couldn't possibly have
HIV, and there is the issue of getting caught up in the moment. So I think that we can all learn something and be a little bit more
diligent.'
Trotter's decision has started her on a journey not only of the body but of the mind as well. Things to know about LeeAnn Trotter.
She is a go-getter, extremely enthusiastic. Enthusiasm with a capital E oozes out of her every word and if she signed up for this, odds
are good that she will finish it and help to raise tons of money. Another thing to know about her, she confesses to not being an
exercise buff. Just last year she wondered how an average person finished a marathon, but she still felt inspired enough by the cause
to go for it. 'They [The AIDS Foundation of Chicago] had sent me something at work and asked me if I would join. I have never, never
considered running a marathon, but for some reason when I got this letter, it intrigued me and I thought that it would be a great idea. <
p>So I interviewed Mike Dilbeck (program director for the AIDS Marathon Training Program-Chicago) for my radio program on US 99
Radio and I found myself saying, 'OK (voice enthusiastic) I'm going to do it!'
Trotter, along with other television and radio personalities, hopes they will encourage others to participate. 'It gives visibility to the
issue because Bonnie DeShong (V 103 radio personality) reaches lots of people on the radio and I reach a lot on television and radio
and it puts it in the limelight. I think that the way that they made it sound with being able to walk and run that a beginner could do it
and I thought, 'OK I can do that … I can walk.''
Maybe that is what's needed, a personality to put the seriousness of AIDS in the public eye. Just drive through most Black
neighborhoods and you see retired basketball great and now entrepreneur Ervin 'Magic' Johnson's face telling the Black masses
that you can live a full life even with the virus. The campaign hopes to save lives. The problem is that some people do not want to
know even if knowing makes the difference in life expectancy. However, people need to know that there are treatment options and the
money that the marathon will raise will fund those options. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the HIV virus continues to be
a major threat facing the African-American community. Although Blacks account for 12 percent of the United States population, they
represented half of the new cases reported in 2001. As of two years ago, more than 168,000 African Americans had died from AIDS.
The spread of disease among Black women is even more alarming. Talk to most people and they have known someone who is living
with AIDS or has died from it. Trotter is like most of people.
'I know people personally who have died and this is a great way for me to help others and myself. I needed a goal; sometimes I
am such a couch potato and I needed something to inspire me and get me off of my you-know-what,' shares Trotter. 'Now I am
working for a good cause and exercising.'
Water bottle in hand and running shoes on, Trotter undergoes the marathon preparation with others. Group selection places
people with others on their same physical level. It is hard for some participants to let go of their competitive nature but the goal of a
marathon is to compete with one's self. 'Like today this one girl in my group kept saying how far ahead the other groups were and I
was like don't pay any attention to what the other groups are doing, we are doing what we are doing and that is the only thing that
matters and everyone else was like yeaaaaaaaaaah.' The training program, designed by Olympic athlete and world-renowned
marathon trainer Jeff Galloway, combines both running and walking to prepare participants for marathons. Participants' train alone as
well as with groups.
Training consists of comprehensive information on nutrition, gear, and exercise. It was only after the first group training sessions
that Trotter experienced some doubts. 'I'm like what did I say,' laughs Trotter. 'I think the most challenging thing is believing that I can
do it. After the first day of training, we did three miles to figure out our pace group and I was like 'Oh my God I don't know how I am
going to do 26 miles.' It seemed like three miles was like forever. But today we ran four miles and it didn't seem like four miles and I
was like, 'Whoa, OK I have never run four miles before and that it pretty darn good.' And I thought, well maybe I will be able to do the
26 miles.' There is one more sentence for Trotter to finish, preparing for the marathon is ... Her answer: 'A rewarding experience
because you are achieving something that most people may not take on and you are pushing yourself and challenging yourself.'
AIDS Foundation Chicago hosts Marathon training workshops. Call (312)765-0210, www.aidsmarathon.com .
Affinity's Third Annual Jazz 'N July benefit, with gourmet buffet, MC LeeAnn Trotter, live jazz by Zzaje, DJ Sheron Webb, silent
auction and more, is Sat., July 19, 7 p.m.-midnight, Bailey Auditorium, 1340 W. Washington, (773) 324-0377.